Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams

[dateline] London October 5th 1785

[salute] My dear son

I began a Letter to you yesterday which I designd to have finishd last evening, but
as we had a great deal of company, many of them Ladies who staid the evening, I could
not command my time, and Captain Callihan wrote us a card last evening that he should
go by nine this morning, so that I have only time to write you a few lines, to tell
you about a fortnight after the arrival of Mr. Church, your first Letter by the French
pacquet came to hand. Col. Franks is here again as express from France. That strange
Creature Lambe is arrived at last in France. He is going to Algiers and Mr. Barclay
and Col. Franks to Moroco. No time is now to be lost as we are now certain that there
are two or 3 vessels taken. Had Lamb come in season probably this would not have happend.
If Mr. Storer had not saild just as he did, he would have been sent as he wisht, for
upon Lamb arrival, they were much put to it to find a proper person to accompany him.
He wants somebody of abilities and Education to supply. Franks gives a curious account of him. As they chuse to keep this matter
silent as possible, some trust worthy person was necessary. After much consultation
with respect to the Americans here, Mr. Randle is fixd upon, the Gentleman from Newyork
who visited us often at Paris. He has finally consented, tho it seem he is under a
matrimonial engagement, and was soon to have been married to a Miss White from Philadelphia.
He has negotiated the matter with her, by this time, tho he was under much embaressment
what to do, whether to go without or entrust the Secreet to her. He applied for my
advise. I was by all means for his telling her; and your Pappa, gave the same.1 Col. Franks and he will set of for France on fryday. How they will succeed time must
determine. The insurence here is very high.

At Length the Peace is signd between the Emperor and the Dutch.2 The particulars you will see in the papers. Mr. Dumas inquires after you in his last
Letters.3

Mr. Williamos has been very sick of a fever and is just recovering. I wrote a few
lines in your Aunt Shaws Letter to you. I will repeat one injunction, which is for
you to write to Mr. Jefferson, as he has no correspondent in the Massachusets.4 I know your information { 407 } from time to time would be agreeable to him, and you know his great Literary merit,
and that you may avail yourself of much knowledge from him.

Your Pappa is overwhelmd with writing. I know not what he would do if it was not for
Your sister who copies for him. So much writing and to so little purpose, is very
mortifying. Col. Smith has not yet returnd.

Write me by way of New York this winter. Cover your Letters either to Mr. Gerry or
King who will forward them. Remember me to your Brothers & believe me most tenderly
yours

[signed] A A

You see my haste I cannot copy. I hope the Algerines will not take this. Storer saild
a fortnight ago.

4. This was probably an enclosure, not found, in either AA to Elizabeth Shaw, [ca. 15 Aug.], or 15 Sept., both above. No correspondence between JQA and Thomas Jefferson has been found, between 12 May 1785 (Jefferson to JQA, Adams Papers), and 1794.

Docno: ADMS-04-06-02-0125

Author: Adams, Abigail

Recipient: Tufts, Cotton

Date: 1785-10-05

Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts

[dateline] London October 5th 1785

[salute] Dear sir

Captain Callihan sails sooner than we expected so that we have not time to write to
several of our Friends, and indeed we have all written so lately by Mr. Storer, that
nothing worth communicating has since occurd. Mr. Adams has written to Mr. Higinson1 which letter I dare say he will communicate to you and that will give you a detail
of politicks here, as well as inform you of the troubles which delays have brought
us in; with respect to the Algerines.

Ever since last March Lamb has been intrusted with Papers which ought to have been
here in May at furthest. But suppose our funds in Holland exhausted as they soon will
be, can our Country expect to continue to Borrow money with their debt still unfunded?
With their credit sinking, where will they get presents to Bribe these Barbarians?
Or forces to encounter them. How difficult does our country render their foreign embassies
by difficulties which uninimnity and virtue publick Spirit and some proper confidence
might releive them from?

But I must quit politicks as I have only a moment. Mr. Adams { 408 } received a few lines from you by Captain Folger inclosing an account,2 which meet our approbation at the same time we heartily thank you for your kind care
and attention.

My dear Aunt how does she? I am grived at the account I have received respecting her,3 and almost dread to receive a Letter from my Friends. I pray heaven still to spair
her Life and to restore her to health and to her Friends.

Believe me Dear sir most affectionately yours

[signed] A A

A Barrel of shag Barks4 would be very pleasing to us if they could be procured.

I forgot to mention that by Mr. Storer we sent you Mr. Neckers works5 of which we request your acceptance.

5. In his letter of 21 Dec. to JA, Tufts acknowledged the receipt of this item and connected it with the receipt of
JA to Tufts, 9 Sept. (both Adams Papers); but Tufts does not identify the work and JA does not mention it. Necker published half a dozen works in France between 1769 and
1785 (Hoefer, Nouv. biog. générale). His Oeuvres de M. Necker, contenant Compte rendu au roi. Mémoire sur l'établissement des
administrations provinciales. De l'administration des finances de la France, was published in London in 1785.